Scriptures

Exodus 38:21-40:38

Haftorah Reading:
1 Kings 7:51-8:21

B’rit Chadashah:
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Revelation 11:19
Ephesians 6:14
Revelation 3:4–5,18; 7:13–14; 19:8
Matthew 17:2
Revelation 15:5-8

Etz Chayeem Hoo (He Is a Tree of Life)

Yeshua is a tree of life to those who take hold of Him, and those who support Him are praiseworthy. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all of His paths are shalom. Bring us back YHVH to You, and we shall come, renew our days as of old.

As we begin to study the Torah let us never forget that YESHUA THE MESSIAH is the Living Torah, the Torah-Word of Elohim made flesh. He is the way, the truth and the life — the Living Manna sent from heaven. Without Him living in our lives through the indwelling Presence of his Set-Apart/Kadosh Spirit (Who leads us into all truth and revelation) the Written Torah can become the dead letter of the law!

Outline of This Week’s Parashah:

• 38:21 The Accounting or Sum of the Materials (Gold, Silver and Brass) Used in Constructing the Tabernacle
• 39:1 Aaron’s Priestly Robes
• 39:2 The Ephod
• 39:8 The Breastplate
• 39:22 The Robe of the Ephod
• 39:27 Tunics of Linen
• 39:30 The Golden Head-Plate/Crown
• 39:33 Moses Inspects the Tabernacle and Its Furnishings and Blesses Them
• 40:1 YHVH Issues the Command to Set Up the Tabernacle on the First Day of the First Month of the Second Year After the Exodus From Egypt
• 40:17 The Tabernacle Is Erected
• 40:35 The Kavod/Glory of YHVH Fills the Tabernacle; The Glory Cloud Leads Israel Through the Wilderness

Study Questions For This Week’s Midrash (Torah Discussion):

1. 38:21 This is the sum of the Tabernacle. Compared to the gold and silver used in the Temples of Solomon and Herod, the amounts listed here in the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) of Moses are insignificant. Both Temples fell into enemy hands and were looted and destroyed. Not so with the Mishkan. Additionally, the Mishkan surpassed both Temples in sanctity showing that YHVH places his presence not where there is wealth (or power, prestige, knowledge, acclaim, accolades, credentials), but where there is set-apartness and righteousness. What are your heart motives, priorities and orientation for serving YHVH—for wanting to be a spiritual temple or tabernacle for him to dwell in? Are you seeking to be set-apart and righteous out of a sincere and humble heart or out of a desire for power, prestige, wealth and acclaim in your life and using “sanctification” as an outward facade to look good to others? In 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 we read,

   For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called, but Elohim has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and Elohim has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, has Elohim chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.

2. 39:1 The holy garments for Aaron. The vestments of the High Priest (Cohen haGadol) are symbolic of the robes of righteousness that Saints should be wearing in preparation for the return of Messiah. Gold symbolizes purity of heart. Blue symbolizes heaven and spirituality. White linen pictures robes of righteousness. White symbolizes purity and sinlessness. Red represents blood—the blood of Yeshua that cleanses from sin. The High Priest wore a belt that represents truth, according to Paul (Eph 6: 14). White linen pants represented sexual purity. The white turban represented purity of thought and humility (the opposite of conceit). He wore a gold crown inscribed with the words, “Kadosh l’YHVH/Set-apart to YHVH.” The dangling pomegranates represented the fruits of our lives be they good or bad. The golden bells jingled when the priest walked. As we go through life people hear us and see us. Our actions speak loudly and clearly. Also, Yeshua said that our words reveal the true condition of our heart (Luke 6:45). How do people really view us? What are we like in secret when no one else is around—our thought life and our words—our secret life? Is there a discrepancy between our secret and public lives? If so why? How set apart and righteous are we … in reality? If we are called to be a set-apart priesthood then hadn’t we better get busy cleaning up our act? Jewish tradition tells us that a rope was tied to the leg of the High Priest in Second Temple times so that while ministering in the innermost sanctuary of the Temple if he was impure and YHVH struck him dead (as happened to Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, when they offered up strange fire) the corpse could be dragged out by the rope. Doesn’t all this show us that we should take being righteous and set apart seriously? Remember Hebrews 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Master.”
3. Will the glory of YHVH fall on an unsanctified vessel? Can a righteous Elohim inhabit an unrighteous being? This is a big question. When one is born again, one’s spirit man is regenerated, but what about the soul (mind, will, and emotions) and the body of the person? The sanctification of these is a process lasting a lifetime. The more we yield our mind, will and emotions and body to the righteousness of YHVH, i.e., the more we allow the Spirit or Ruach of Elohim to conform us to the Person and the Word of Yeshua, the Torah, the more righteous we will become and the more YHVH’s anointing or shekinah will be able to indwell us. Are you further along in this process than you were a month ago, or a year ago? What are the fruits in your life of the progress you are making at repenting and overcoming? Do those around you see the difference? These are tough questions that we must ask ourselves as we enter into the Passover season. It is time to put the leavening (sin) out of our lives, which are our spiritual houses or temples!
4. 39:1 As YHVH commanded Moses. In chapter 39, please observe the fact that all the work of the Tabernacle was done “as YHVH commanded Moses” (or phrases similar to this), and these statements are repeated ten times in this chapter. YHVH gave specific instructions concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and expected these instructions to be followed to the letter. The Tabernacle was the means by which the Israelites were to approach YHVH. Though the physical Tabernacle is long gone, it still serves as a blueprint or pattern showing man the steps to reconciliation with his Creator. There is no other way to be reconciled to YHVH except through the steps of redemption outlined in the Mishkan. Furthermore, no room was given for the human element to add or subtract from YHVH’s instructions. Discuss the implications of this with regards to our spiritual walk before our Heavenly Father. How important is it to follow all his instructions in righteousness? How often do we mitigate his instructions and reshape them to accommodate us? Isn’t this what the serpent persuaded Adam and Eve to do at the Tree of Knowledge, which is how sin entered the world?
5. In 39:43 we read that, “Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as YHVH had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” Here Moses is acting as the mediator between Elohim and man (foreshadowing the work of Yeshua). He blessed Israel for the good work they had done in executing YHVH’s instructions in building the Mishkan. Similarly, Yeshua will judge all us, his servants, as to the work we have done in helping to build his spiritual tabernacle or kingdom and will give rewards on the basis of our faithfulness. Have you been a profitable servant? Are you doing everything within your power to serve him, or are you still distracted by the cares of this life from being about your Father’s business? (Read Rev 22:12; 1 John 2:28 and Matt 25:13–30.)
6. 40:1 You set up the Tabernacle. This verse implies that Moses set up the Tabernacle single-handedly without any help. To what does this point prophetically? (Read Hebrews 3:3–6.)
7. 40:34 The glory of YHVH filled the Tabernacle. The glory cloud that covered the Tabernacle signaled YHVH’s
   approval of the work that was done. Had the Israelites not followed all of YHVH’s minute construction instructions would he have inhabited the Tabernacle? Is there a lesson to be learned from this? Could YHVH’s anointing on our lives be greater if our obedience to YHVH’s instructions were greater?

Moses Was a Type of Messiah Yeshua

Scripture infers that Moses was a figure who prophetically foreshadowed Yeshua the Messiah. Perhaps the most notable Scripture in this regard is the famous Deuteronomy 18 passage where Moses, speaking to the Israelites, prophesies that, “YHVH your Elohim will raise up unto you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brethren, like unto me, unto him you shall listen” (verse 15). Below we have compiled a list of similarities between Moses and Yeshua, which are too numerous to be merely coincidental (majority from the book Gleanings In Exodus by A. W. Pink).

• Both were Israelites.
• Both were born while their nations were under the dominion of a hostile power.
• As infants the lives of both were imperiled by the reigning king.
• Both were adopted.
• Both spent their childhood in Egypt.
• Both were filled with deep compassion and sympathy for the plight of Israel.
• Both renounced their kingly glory and took on the form of a servant.
• Both were rejected by their brethren.
• Both were shepherds (Exod 3:1 and John 10:11,16).
• Before entering into their ministry calling both spent time in seclusion in the wilderness: Moses for 40 years and Yeshua for 40 days.
• Both were commissioned by YHVH to set the captives free.
• The commission of both was confirmed by signs and miracles.
• Moses’ first two miracles were power of the serpent and leprosy (Exod 4:6–8. After commencing his public ministry Yeshua’s first miracles were power over the serpent (Matt 4:10–11) and over leprosy (Matt 8:3).
• Both delivered Israel.
• The Ancient Israelites were baptized into Moses (1 Cor 10:1–2) and Believers into Yeshua (Rom 6:3).
• Both had their authority challenged.
• The lives of both were threatened.
• Both experienced deep sorrow over the ingratitude of their people.
• The love of both for their people was unquenchable.
• Both were prayerful.
• Both were faithful (Heb 3:5; Rev 3:14).
• Both provided Israel with water (Num 20:11; John 4:14).
• Both were kings (Deut 33:4–5; Luke 1:32–33).
• Both were prophets (Deut 18:18; John 7:16; 8:28).
• Both were priests (Ps 99:6; Lev 8:15–16; Heb 9:14).
• Both were mediators between man and the Creator (Deut 5:5; 1 Tim 2:5).
• Both were mediators of a covenant (Exod 34:27; Heb 8:6).
• Both sent out 12 men.
• Both had seventy elders/witnesses (Exod 24:9, Luke 10:1)
• Both had intimate communion with their Heavenly Father.
• Both fasted for 40 days.
• Both were transfigured on a mountain.
• Both washed their brethren with water (Lev 8:6; John 13:5).
• Both walked in perfect obedience (Exod 40:16; John 9:4; 14:10).
• Both erected a Tabernacle/Temple.
• Both gave their people an inheritance (Josh 1:10–11; Eph 1:11).
• Both had to die prior to entering the Promised Land.
• Moses had a second appearance (Matt 17:3) and Yeshua is coming again.

Can there be any doubt that Yeshua was the Prophet to whom Moses makes reference in Deuteronomy 18:15 that YHVH Elohim would raise up who would be like Moses himself? Those who would deny the Person and work of Yeshua the Messiah have to explain away the many prophetic types and shadows that exist in the Hebrew Scriptures that were only fulfilled in Yeshua the Messiah. May your faith in and love for Yeshua, the Sent One from Elohim, be strengthened!

The Priestly Garments — A Prophetic Picture of Yeshua,
Our Great Heavenly High Priest (Exodus 28 and 39)

YHVH instructed the High Priest (Cohen HaGadol) to wear eight vestments while performing his duties in the Tabernacle or else his service was invalid. The garments that the High Priest wore along with those of the regular priests set them apart from the rest of Israel thereby elevating them in the eyes of Israel for the special and sacred work of Elohim they were doing.

Everything about the High Priest’s garments pointed to the Person and work of Yeshua the Messiah, our Great Redeemer, Savior and Heavenly High Priest (Heb 4:14; 5:1–14; 9:11–15,23–28; 10:10–12).

In our teaching article on the Tabernacle of Moses, we discuss all the garments of the High Priest. From the turban and gold crown he wore on his head, to the gold bells and multicolored pomegranate ornaments he wore as fringes on the bottom of his robe, all was a prophetic picture of Yeshua.

Additionally, the vestments the ordinary priest wore while ministering in the Tabernacle point to the robes of righteousness of the Saint. To learn more, you can find this teaching available for free download on our ministry website (http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/tabernacle.pdf).

Haftorah Reading — 1 Kings 7:51-8:21

The Manifest Khavod-Glory of YHVH Elohim

And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of YHVH, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory [chavod] of YHVH filled the house of YHVH. (1 Kgs 8:10–11)

There is a manifested glory of YHVH and an unmanifested glory of YHVH. The khavod glory is manifest, or made clear, obvious or plain to the human eye or mind, while the latter hod glory, as applied to YHVH, is reserved for heaven alone. Let’s explore the subject of YHVH’s manifested glory by first defining the word khavod. Khavod (a masc. noun) khaf-vet-dalet is Strong’s H03519 or TWOT 943, and is from H3513 (khaved). In the KJV khavod is translated into the following English words: glory 156 times, honor 32 times, glorious 10 times, gloriously 1 time, honorable 1 time. It’s primary definition is “glory, honor, glorious, abundance, riches, splendor, dignity, reverence.” The root of khavod is kabed the basic meaning of which (according to TWOT) is “to be heavy, weighty.” Let’s now see how this word is used in Scripture. The word khavod is bolded in the following passages for easy identification. Please thoroughly review the following Scripture passages so that you will be able to fully understand the key question at the end of this study that could dramatically effect your spiritual perspective and life forever.

Heaven Is Filled With the Glory of YHVH

• Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of YHVH from his place. (Ezek 3:12)

YHVH’s Glory Will Be Evidenced on This Earth Before Men

• But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of YHVH. (Num 14:21)

Man Himself Created in YHVH’s Image Possesses a Certain Measure of YHVH’s Glory

• For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor. (Ps 8:5)

When the Glorious Presence of YHVH Manifests Man Has No Choice But to Worship YHVH

• And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of YHVH upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised YHVH, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endures forever. (2 Chr 7:3)
• As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of YHVH. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke. (Ezek 1:28)

The Glory Cloud Is the Manifest (Visible) Presence of YHVH

• And the glory of YHVH abode upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days, and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. (Exod 24:16)
• And the sight of the glory of YHVH was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. (Exod 24:17)
• And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. (Exod 29:43)
• And he said, I beseech you, show me your glory. (Exod 33:18)
• And it shall come to pass, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand while I pass by. (Exod 33:22)
• Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of YHVH filled the tabernacle. (Exod 40:34)
• And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of YHVH filled the tabernacle. (Exod 40:35)
• And Moses said, This is the thing which YHVH commanded that you should do: and the glory of YHVH shall appear unto you. (Lev 9:6)
• And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of YHVH appeared unto all the people. (Lev 9:23)
• And you said, Behold, YHVH our Elohim has shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that Elohim does talk with man, and he lives. (Deut 5:24)
• Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of YHVH filled the house. (2 Chr 7:1)

The Glory of YHVH Appears To Israel In the Form of Miraculous Provision (Manna and Quail)

• And in the morning, then you shall see the glory of YHVH; for that he hears your murmurings against YHVH: and what are we, that you murmur against us? (Exod 16:7)
• And it came to pass, as Aaron spoke unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of YHVH appeared in the cloud. (Exod 16:10)

YHVH’s Glory Protects His Servants

• Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of YHVH shall be your rear guard. (Isa 58:8)

The Manifest Glory of YHVH Protects His Servants From Satanic Forces

• And the angel of Elohim, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. [The Hebrew word khavod is not used in this verse, but it is implied here in the presence of YHVH in the pillar of fire.] (Exod 14:19–20)
• But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of YHVH appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. (Num 14:10)
• And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of YHVH appeared unto all the congregation. (Num 16:19)
• And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of YHVH appeared. (Num 16:42)
• But you, O YHVH, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Ps 3:3)

Men CANNOT Witness the Glory of YHVH and Continue in Sin and Rebellion Guiltless

• Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice. (Num 14:22)

The Glory of YHVH Appears and Strengthens His Servants in Their Times of Despair

• And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of YHVH appeared unto them. (Num 20:6)
• But you, O YHVH, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Ps 3:3)

YHVH’s Servants Are to Declare His Glory Among the Heathen

• Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. (1 Chr 16:24)
• And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. (Isa 66:19)

Rebellious Man Spurns the Glory of YHVH

• O you sons of men, how long will your turn my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity, and seek after lies? Selah. (Ps 4:2)

The Servants of YHVH Have a Future of Glory Awaiting Them

• You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Ps 73:24)

YHVH’s Glory Shall Be Upon His Servants As a Witness to the Nations

• Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of YHVH is risen upon you. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but YHVH shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isa 60:1–3)

The Glory of YHVH Filled His Temple

• So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of YHVH had filled the house of YHVH. (1 Kgs 8:11)
• YHVH, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your honor dwells. (Ps 26:8)
• And the glory of YHVH came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. (Ezek 43:4)
• So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of YHVH filled the house. (Ezek 43:5)
• Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of YHVH filled the house of YHVH: and I fell upon my face. (Ezek 44:4)
• Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory and how do you see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? (Hag 2:3)
• And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, says YHVH of hosts. (Hag 2:7)
• The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says YHVH of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace, says YHVH of Hosts. (Hag 2:9)

The Glory Cloud Is a Powerful Presence

• So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud, for the glory of YHVH had filled the house of Elohim. (2 Chr 5:14)
• And the priests could not enter into the house of YHVH, because the glory of YHVH had filled YHVH’S house. (2 Chr 7:2)

Now the Big Question:

Scripture says that the Saints are the temple of the Spirit of Elohim (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). We also know that the Tabernacle of Moses, as well as the Temple of Solomon, reveal, from beginning to end, YHVH’s plan of salvation for mankind. They represents a spiritual journey that we all must make in order to enter eternally into the glorious Presence of YHVH Elohim. From the moment one steps foot in the front door of the Tabernacle/Temple all the way to the innermost room, Kadosh haKadoshim (the Holy of Holies) where the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat, Cherubim and glory cloud were found, one is going deeper spiritually, being refined, remade into the very image of Yeshua and getting closer to YHVH Elohim in character, in one’s walk, and in substance. Eventually, if one stays the course, one will begin to walk in that manifest chavod glory himself even as Yeshua did, while on this earth. Where are you in this process? Where are you in your spiritual journey through the Tabernacle/Temple of YHVH? That is the big question!

But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Elohim has prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor 2:9)